Today was one of those days where you realize that you have come full circle.
A day where just having one conversation with a stranger makes everything become clear.
I was at the gym today to get my 2 miles in and being the friendly chap that I am I struck up a conversation with the only other person on the track. It started out as simple small talk like, "How were the roads on your way in?" and "How many times a week do you come here?" Simple chit chat. . . . or so I thought.
I made the comment that I was glad it was just her on the track today since I was trying something new and didn't want to look like a falling duck with a lot of people around to witness it. I told her I was going to try and add some jogging in small intervals today. I was pretty excited about this since I had injured my ankle a year ago. I have been through shots in the foot and physical therapy to get to this point. I was pretty excited about this to be sure.
She told me that she wished she was able to run and how she envies people that have that ability. She has back problems that keep her from doing that. I kinda chuckled at this and told her I had back surgery a year ago so I understand. She was even more intrigued by me and wanted to know more. I shared my story with her about my journey to better health.
I shared that I had lost 100 pounds and was in the best shape of my life. That is until the day I ruptured a disc in my back and was down for the count waiting surgery. This woman was silent for a minute as she thought about all I had shared.
Her response was, "Wow! You really have come full circle haven't you?" Yeah, I guess I have. I told her that one thing I have learned this past year is to not take anything for granted. It isn't until you lose the ability to do what is normal that you can really appreciate it. She thanked me for sharing my story with her and continued her laps. I however continued to do small bursts of jogging which had turned into jogging a full lap by time I was done.
It was during this time that I really started to think back to where I was and really see where I am at. January of this year marked a year since my back surgery. During that year I have had to learn to walk, bend, and exercise with out adding stress to my back. This March will be a year since I injured my ankle and have had to learn how to walk without a limp and balance again.
I can look back and see the hand of God in all of this. I had the best surgeon for my back and a great team of therapist that helped me a lot. With my ankle I had a great doctor and my therapist was a God send. He helped me reach my goals and also gave me the confidence to try things that I was terrified to do.
There was one day in therapy that he wanted me to do something, and I was so overcome with fear that I was positive I couldn't do it. But he looked me in the eye and said, "Karen, do you trust me?" Way to make me face my fear head on. Yes I trusted him, I had never had a reason not to. And yes I was able to do what he asked of me.
On my last day of therapy he told me that there were no exercises I could not do. From a medical point of view I was ready to rock. "Except for running," I said. You would think I would have learned my lesson to keep my mouth shut because he just loves to prove me wrong when I doubt my abilities (Thank God for that). My therapist made me face my fears and run on the treadmill.
Fast-forward to today and I am running on the track!!!!
It has been a long year for me. A year where I have had to face so much pain, doubt, and fear. A year where I have found out what I am really truly made of. I am stronger than I think. I can do more than I think. Fear has a grip that can strangle you if you let it. I have found out where my faith is and how strong and loving my family is. No, it has not been an easy year but I really have come full circle.
Look at me now!
I am unstoppable!
Joseph tells his brothers in Genesis 5:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people."
God has brought me to this position so that I too can help change the lives of many people.
My future really is bright and full of endless possibilities!
